ringtail

noun

ring·​tail ˈriŋ-ˌtāl How to pronounce ringtail (audio)
1
2
: a carnivore (Bassariscus astutus) of the western U.S. and Mexico that is related to and resembles the raccoon

called also cacomistle, civet cat, ringtail cat, ringtailed cat

3

Examples of ringtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ringtail was taken to the Animal Emergency Room to be treated for its injuries. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 June 2023 With a lizard in its mouth and its unmistakable striped tail on full display, a ringtail recently was spotted crossing the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, adding to the ever-growing list of critters using the passageway. Megan Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Nov. 2021 There are ringtails throughout Texas but are uncommon in the lower Rio Grande and Coastal Plains, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Lana Ferguson, Dallas News, 13 June 2023 Arizona Arizona's state mammal is the ringtail, a close relative of the raccoon and coatimundi. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2023 Not that the ringtail craves the attention. René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 19 Jan. 2021 The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office shared a video across its social media platforms of the ringtail cat outside of the Kohl's being released from a cage into the wild. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023 Later at night, a ringtail made a cameo appearance during a period of heavy fog. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2022 While the ringtail cat might look cute, the sheriff's office warned animal lovers to stay away from these creatures in the wild. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ringtail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringtail was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near ringtail

Cite this Entry

“Ringtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringtail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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